The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1887-09-30
PROFITABLE MERINos.
The Actual Income From a Well-Ke
Flock of Sheep.

The Actual Income From a Well-Kept
Flock of Sheep.
Mr.. William BrOwnrigg, proprietor
of the Olive Green Stock Farm, Noble
County, O., last winter fattened n flock
of Me1nos with such good results
financially that his methods and out
come deserve n brief mention. l may
say that l am acquainted with Mr..
Brownrigg, and obtained the particu-
lars of his transaction from himself.
In August, 1886, he bought 120 sheep
at $3.50 per head, amounting to 1886
He put them on the range and let them
run on it until December 20, at which
date he brought them up for winter,
combining them in a lot of about five
acres with a shed in it. They were not
fastened up in the shed except in
stormy weather. They received n feed
of corn fodder in the morning, and hay
ut noon and night. What kind of hay
it was Mr.. B. does not specify. During
the months of January and February
they received grain feed of one
bushel per day; this consisted Of corn,
oats and bran in equal parts, and was
given once a day. During March and
April the grain feed was three bushels
a day, equal parts of corn and oats,
given to them morning and evening.
After April % the grain feed was dis
continued, and the flock was turned on
pasture. Mr.. Brownrigg states that
after several years experience rs Il
4 feeder of sheep, he does not think it
! pays to give grain to sheep on good
I pasture.
After shearing date not mentiOned)
! the sheep were sold at $4.373 per head;
they averaged LOG pounds each, and
the flock brought 1925. He sold the
wool at 30 cents n pound; this brought
1924. This would be at the rate of 81
pounds per fleece, bringing $1.95 pei
head. Total amount received for WOO
and carcasses, 1859. Cost of the sheer
in August, 1886 Thus he received fol
his feed, labor and profit, on 120 sheep
1923.
Now. what did this feed cost? lie
us figure n little.
80 bushels corn at 81 cts...................S $50
50 bushels oats at % cts ...-......-.. 80
20 bushels bran at "A cts .-.-..-.--...--... IS
10 tons hay at SS.---.-.- .-.-.--.-.... 500
$50 shocks fodder at 10 cts. ..-........... $50
Total ......................... .s1s6.s
Subtracting this from S423, we hay
1886. 20 for labor and profit. MI
Brownrigg did not state the actua
amount of hay and fodder consumed
but good part of lifetime spent il
feeding and breeding sheep enables m
to give a pretty close estimate.
Now, let US figure a little further
] IL ha hlN fnTTIs
old; at least a long acquaintance wit
the sheep breeders of Southeastern
+ Ohio has taught me that this is abot
the age usually sought for in goo
. feeding sheep. They yielded in TIL
i the fourth year SI.95 worth of woo
. apiece. In each of the three preced
|, ing years they yielded probably som'
E what less. mot being fed so highly
saw S1.65 apiece. In the four years
), therefore, they gave return Of 500
per head in wool Each carcass sol
for s4.373. Total revenue receive
from each sheep in four years, $1l. ~
= or 81. g a year. We have seen TIL
/ Mr.. b. bought them for $3.50 apiece
= August, 1886
: Now. is there any other animal kel
q on the farm that will yield year
revenue equal to its entire value
a maturity? This is 100 per cent. a We.
!, on the original money invested. Pr
= siblv good COW might give it, pa
AZ siblv flock Of hens. AT any r9te.
J. is good enough.
= Please observe; These sheep ~
"a we'll taken care OF. Stephen P0seers,
Qalo Former,